Well guys.. i went to a launch today to shoot off my executioner. I built this completely stock, so learned many things:
1. I HATE ESTES CHUTES!! I flew 3 times on E9-4, and every time it had problems. Tangled, lost half the shroud lines, etc. Luckily it didnt hit the cement, so it could have had worse damage than chipped fin tips.
2. Provide more internal structure than what estes has. The motor mount uses two 1/8" cardboard centering rings spaced about a foot apart. On the last fall (which hit rather hard because of the frickin chute), the paint cracked at the BT spiral lines. Next time i need stronger centering rings, and ill probably use wood.
3.Fins tips get crapped up really easily. On hard landings, the fins would get a small, but still noticeable, chip off the tip.
This leads me to my questions.
1. I need to get nylon parachutes. If possible, i would rather make them myself, though i dont know how reliable thatll come out. Could you point me to a site that sells nylon chutes in many sizes or that shows how to make them?
2. Do you have any suggestions for fin tip protectors? I was thinking of using tin to make a small metal cover, but it wouldnt cover more than half an inch from the tip of the fin. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help. Any info/ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
-Alex
1. I HATE ESTES CHUTES!! I flew 3 times on E9-4, and every time it had problems. Tangled, lost half the shroud lines, etc. Luckily it didnt hit the cement, so it could have had worse damage than chipped fin tips.
2. Provide more internal structure than what estes has. The motor mount uses two 1/8" cardboard centering rings spaced about a foot apart. On the last fall (which hit rather hard because of the frickin chute), the paint cracked at the BT spiral lines. Next time i need stronger centering rings, and ill probably use wood.
3.Fins tips get crapped up really easily. On hard landings, the fins would get a small, but still noticeable, chip off the tip.
This leads me to my questions.
1. I need to get nylon parachutes. If possible, i would rather make them myself, though i dont know how reliable thatll come out. Could you point me to a site that sells nylon chutes in many sizes or that shows how to make them?
2. Do you have any suggestions for fin tip protectors? I was thinking of using tin to make a small metal cover, but it wouldnt cover more than half an inch from the tip of the fin. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help. Any info/ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
-Alex